Bivy Bag Recommendations

[woodsdog2]

Have you considered a hammock setup? More of an investment to be setup for 4 seasons but sleep is so much better than on the ground.

I have but one of my reasons for getting this equipment is to be able to sleep not camp near my saddle stand setup so I’m not disturbing the deer trying to access the location leaving at night and coming in in the am. I want to have just enough gear to keep me alive and functioning but very inconspicuous so I can get out of my stand for the evening, get in my sleep system bag, eat a few snacks and get to sleep so I can be up and right back in the tree. Some of these properties are difficult to access discretely.

 

[BTaylor]

I have but one of my reasons for getting this equipment is to be able to sleep not camp near my saddle stand setup so I’m not disturbing the deer trying to access the location leaving at night and coming in in the am. I want to have just enough gear to keep me alive and functioning but very inconspicuous so I can get out of my stand for the evening, get in my sleep system bag, eat a few snacks and get to sleep so I can be up and right back in the tree. Some of these properties are difficult to access discretely.

Bill Winke used that approach last fall and it worked for him. I would recommend getting a good pad if going that route.

 

[woodsdog2]

Bill Winke used that approach last fall and it worked for him. I would recommend getting a good pad if going that route.

That’s exactly where I heard about that method it has certainly piqued my interest in positioning for a good buck.

 

[woodsdog2]

Bill Winke used that approach last fall and it worked for him. I would recommend getting a good pad if going that route.

What do you recommend? I’ve been looking at offerings from Klymit off of Guidefitter

 

[BTaylor]

I use an klymit insulated static v luxe and it works pretty well. The Thermarest xtherm is another highly regarded pad with good r-value. Both of those pads are rated above 6 which is important in temps that are going to get to 32 or lower.

 

[7mmremmag]

What do you recommend? I’ve been looking at offerings from Klymit off of Guidefitter

I have the insulated Klymit, not the lightest option but light enough. Also, consider a bag with a pad holder built in. Will keep you from sliding off the pad. Makes a big difference.

 

[7mmremmag]

I use an klymit insulated static v luxe and it works pretty well. The Thermarest xtherm is another highly regarded pad with good r-value. Both of those pads are rated above 6 which is important in temps that are going to get to 32 or lower.

That's the same klymit I have

 

[woodsdog2]

Thanks for all your recommendations guys, Coleman’s had a sale going on so I picked up the USMC bivy cover for $119. It is used but honestly I can’t tell that it is at all. I read some reviews and some people had small holes in the bug netting…. I must have lucked out I’m very pleased with what I got. I decided to go this route thanks @Exhumis and all others so if I do upgrade my sleeping
Bag to something with synthetic fill, I’ll have the heavy duty cover already no matter what I pick up.

 

[bowhunthard88]

I just picked up a Big Agnes 3-Wire bivy, having a custom 70D footprint made, and paired everything with a Nemo Scalar tarp. I think it's going to be hard to beat! All that aside, I do have a bunch of other options. If I'm not worried about my gear, I could leave the tarp out.

 

[Iron_llama]

The only bivy bag I've ever used is the mil-surp multi-piece system. I thought it worked well, but have nothing to compare it to.

If I were to try what you're contemplating, my instinct would probably be to set up camp a few-four hundred yards away from the tree(s) I want to hunt, to try to manage my scent, and stalk in and out in the dark. In this scenario I'd prefer a hammock or solo backpacking tent with a proper inflatable mattress (because my spine is ruined and I wouldn't want that to keep me from pulling all-day sits in a tree). Am I wrong?
I've actually got the gear to do all this and have no real reason not to. Might have to try it this year, as an experiment if nothing else.

 

[woodsdog2]

I really want to try this myself.

 

[bowhunthard88]

My bivy setup will take the place of a tent, but WILL be used in conjunction with a sleeping bag and inflatable sleeping pad (25x72"). There's actually a bit of room for minimal/basic gear in the BA bivy, even once your bag and pad setup are inserted. I'm looking at the packability/weight aspect as well as multi-purpose uses. I figure this whole setup with weigh about 3.5 lbs.; but it should pack better than a tent, be warmer than a tent, and at any point I could eliminate a piece of kit. The BA also vents well, or better than most. Summer hiking/overnighters will be just the bivy and sleeping gear (no tarp), when I wouldn't be carrying much, compared to a hunting setup. Except for the bugs around here, just the tarp could be an option in combination with the bivy footprint.

All that aside, I have a full hammock setup, and a couple of tent setups too... I love the hammock, but hate packing both quilts from a bulk aspect lol.

 

[BTaylor]

I really want to try this myself.

Kinda got me thinking about a related approach and setting up my hammock in my boat for an area I plan on hunting. It's an 11 mile run from the nearest ramp to our deer camp or a 5 mile run from the closest ramp to the area I am going. Could either do that or tent camp on a sand bar if the river is down. If it is above avg temps and the skeeters stay bad and the river up, may just have to make the run every day.

 

[Iron_llama]

Kinda got me thinking about a related approach and setting up my hammock in my boat for an area I plan on hunting. It's an 11 mile run from the nearest ramp to our deer camp or a 5 mile run from the closest ramp to the area I am going. Could either do that or tent camp on a sand bar if the river is down. If it is above avg temps and the skeeters stay bad and the river up, may just have to make the run every day.

Oh, man, in my 20s I got really into the idea of boat camping. Lots of Phil Bolger designs, obsessively reading the Duckworks forums like I do Saddlehunter today. I lived in an apartment and was gearing up to move to the desert; my boat was about halfway-built by the time I had to move and my dad didn't have space for it, so he had to saw it apart to fit it in the garbage truck. Anyway... you can probably find a Walmart dome tent with a footprint about the size of your boat. This guy sets it up inside the boat, check the 24-minute mark:

I've also seen people cut out the bottom of the tent and attach the poles to the gunwales of your boat, with netting or skirting to keep the bugs out, and a cot or air mattress across the thwarts.

 

[BTaylor]

Oh, man, in my 20s I got really into the idea of boat camping. Lots of Phil Bolger designs, obsessively reading the Duckworks forums like I do Saddlehunter today. I lived in an apartment and was gearing up to move to the desert; my boat was about halfway-built by the time I had to move and my dad didn't have space for it, so he had to saw it apart to fit it in the garbage truck. Anyway... you can probably find a Walmart dome tent with a footprint about the size of your boat. This guy sets it up inside the boat, check the 24-minute mark:

I've also seen people cut out the bottom of the tent and attach the poles to the gunwales of your boat, with netting or skirting to keep the bugs out, and a cot or air mattress across the thwarts.

He was doing pretty good til he cooked that steak to medium. That guy can not be trusted at all.

 

[thedutchtouch]

I'm waiting until the end of the month when borah reopens for orders and will be getting one of their ultralight bug bivys

 

[bowhunthard88]

I'm waiting until the end of the month when borah reopens for orders and will be getting one of their ultralight bug bivys

I've looked at the Outdoor Research ones, but decided I needed weather protection and a bit of storage space.

 

[thedutchtouch]

I've looked at the Outdoor Research ones, but decided I needed weather protection and a bit of storage space.

Agreed, the borah is for inside my floorless tent, More of a ground cloth with bug protection that could be used solo if the weather allows. Mosquitos and the like seem to find me easier than the average person

 

[Bowtie747]

I have but one of my reasons for getting this equipment is to be able to sleep not camp near my saddle stand setup so I’m not disturbing the deer trying to access the location leaving at night and coming in in the am. I want to have just enough gear to keep me alive and functioning but very inconspicuous so I can get out of my stand for the evening, get in my sleep system bag, eat a few snacks and get to sleep so I can be up and right back in the tree. Some of these properties are difficult to access discretely.

This got me jacked up! Kinda skimmed over this thread until I read this. This is genious. I will now be looking for a similar setup thanks!